Minor Requirements

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Classical Studies

Minors—Four minors are housed in the Classics Department.

Ancient Greek—A sequence of six courses develops linguistic skills for reading literature in ancient Greek. In addition, the minor will include either a .5-credit Language Across the Curriculum unit or a .5-credit integrating paper, typically written in conjunction with the last course taken for the minor. No more than one transfer credit may be applied to the minor.

Latin—A sequence of six courses develops linguistic skills for reading literature in Latin. In addition, the minor will include either a .5-credit Language Across the Curriculum unit or a .5-credit integrating paper, typically written in conjunction with the last course taken for the minor. No more than one transfer credit may be applied to the minor.

Classical antiquity—The purpose of the minor is to allow students to acquire a general knowledge of the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome, which traditionally have constituted, along with the Judeo-Christian tradition, the chief ingredients of Western civilization. Despite the advance of technology, shifts in educational and societal priorities, and an increasing awareness of other civilizations in the 20th century, Homer, Plato, Cicero, and Caesar remain lively figures, and the classical tradition still pervades our poetry and prose, our philosophy and law, our ideas of history, our conceptions of education, and our art and architecture. The student electing this minor will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the classical achievements in each of these areas and to shape that knowledge into an integrated view of antiquity. Students take six approved courses, then either take a short essay exam or submit an integrating paper.

Classical tradition—In this minor, students will build upon an acquaintance with historical cultures of the ancient Mediterranean by exploring their legacy in modernity. Participants in this minor take a mixture of courses that focus on the ancient Mediterranean world and those that focus on the modern reception of “classical antiquity” through literature, performance, visual art, film, historiography, philosophy, political theory and practice, and/or Romance languages. In addition, students submit an integrating paper.

The Classical Studies Department also contributes courses to minors in architectural studies, Jewish studies, literature and psychology, mythology, and women, gender, and sexuality.